ABOUT POT (THE MOVIE)

OFFICIAL TRAILER

LIBERTY & JUSTICE FOR ALL

Pot (the movie) is an entertaining and educational film unlike any on this subject. In January 2014, Colorado became the first state to allow for recreational sale and use of Marijuana. Filmmaker Michael Hope spent the year exploring the issue, traveling the 10 hour and 50 years policy cavern between legalization in Colorado and the strict prosecution in his home state of South Dakota.Millions of people have tried it, some states are starting to allow it for medical use, a few now allow if for recreational use, however many states still severely prosecute for even minor possession.

In the land of the free, some restrictions apply. People need accurate and current information for and informed opinion.This is an emerging, multi-billion dollar industry.

The Medical side of the pot story is so misunderstood. Pot (the Movie) also tells the story of mothers being prosecuted for using cannabis as medicine for themselves or their child’s serious medical conditions, after traditional medicine failed them, and repercussions of this choice, as well as stories of otherwise law-abiding citizens being affected by outdated public policy. Because of current laws, scientific testing in the U.S. is hard to do, but with the new international research about pots’ effect on major diseases, from cancer to Parkinson's, and beyond, there may be actual cures just around the corner. From minor to major ailment, this film shows some of the great promise with pot.

For the first time on film, Michael brings together the modern information on use and products, current law enforcement perspectives, as well as the history and science that led us to this crossroad in history.

This movie works to educate against a long held prejudice, developed with no basis in fact, and will de-mystify a substance that 150 Million Americans have tried, and polls show the majority of Americans think should be legal. This is one of the most misunderstood subjects in modern culture.

If you’re going to have an opinion, it might as well be an informed opinion.

For country, for freedom, for you’re buddy, See Pot (the movie).

I'm a huge fan of honesty. I love America, and all that it can be. It's easy to be cynical of "what America stand for", but if you have ever known someone who has fought for us to have the liberties we have here, and understand the toll it has taken to get us here, it's hard not to be humbled.

Are we a perfect country? Clearly not. But, we have freedoms here that other around the world go to bed at night wishing they had. Freedom of speech is not only a cherished quality of America, but also a vital aspect to maintaining another great aspect of America, our democracy.

I've heard it said the ignorance is not knowing, and that stupidity is knowing better, and choosing to do otherwise. Even if you don't follow the debate around pot, everyone's heard the little things here and there. The old story is out there. You've heard it. "Pot's a gateway drug." "Pot's for losers." "Pot is schedule one next to Heroin." "Pot's addictive."

That's ignorance.

This films shows timely aspects of the debate about marijuana that the world needs now, and illustrates once and for all why we need national reform of marijuana laws for both medical and recreational use. The problem is, though the majority of Americans believe pot should be legal, the information necessary to truly understand why, has been hard to come by. Until now. From the endocannabinoid system, THC and CBD, the differences between strains, modern products like vaping and edibles, there is so much to know about pot.

The fact is, pot is safer than alcohol, and for many is a better choice recreationally. Medically, pot has shown incredible validity and great promise for a wide variety of ailments.

This film works to help dispel long-held prejudice against marijuana that have been perpetuated for years and has no basis in fact. This film tells the story of parents like Angela and David Brown, and the plight their family has experienced because they chose to medicate their teenage son with cannabis to treat severe symptoms from a traumatic brain injury he sustained, after traditional medications and treatment failed them. The positive effect of cannabis were undeniable. But you won't believe what happened next for them. Anyone who truly cares about liberty and justice for all should needs to see their story.

And the unfortunate truth is, outdated marijuana laws are having huge unintended consequences across the board. From otherwise law abiding citizens having their freedom and liberty jeopardized, to kids safety being compromised by authorities confusing them by overstating the dangers of marijuana, and worse yet, comparing pot to terrible substances like Heroin, Cocaine, Meth, and illicit pharmaceuticals.

For the uninformed, ignorance is bliss. For the informed, ignorance causes injustice. This is the film the world needs now.

THE RATIONALE

Pot (the movie)" documents film maker Michael Hope's summer traveling the 10 hours, and 50 years cavern between legalized pot in Colorado, and the strict enforcement of his small, conservative, South Dakota home town.

This film is funny, touching, timely, and works to educates a historically misinformed country to current science, policy, modern products and use, health and economic benefits, and the dangers of ignorance.

Michael is allergic to alcohol, and has experienced severe family tragedy related to alcohol and hard drugs. Now, as a young father, shows how wisdom from older siblings helped him make safe decisions regarding drugs and alcohol, while contrasting stories of the oppressed in South Dakota, versus the people that worked to make Colorado the nation's first to legalize.

This ain't your grandpa's ditch-weed.

Dabbing, Vaping, Indica,Cannabinoid receptors, Sativa. We live in the information age, yet there is so much confusion about Marijuana and where it fits in the world. Each year, thousands of people die from consuming alcohol, tobacco, and prescription or illicit drugs, however, no one has ever overdosed on weed. That’s a huge distinction!

No one has ever overdosed on Marijuana!

Marijuana has undeservedly been compared to and thus confused by many, to be as harmful as other drugs, or at minimum, an automatic “stair-step” to harder substances. These types of misunderstandings are not only inaccurate, but also detrimental. The time has come to move past the current caricature of cannabis, and provide accurate, real-world information to help our country prepare for the likely nation-wide legalization of this natural, unaltered plant, and having a few laughs along the way.

This film is not just for pot smokers, but rather for the friendly, the curious and American citizens who love their friends and family who may need cannabis and would appreciate honest and fact-based information on the topic.

The film covers normal usage, and explains the importance of taking marijuana out of the black market, making people safer, increasing jobs and tax revenue, all while helping US authorities fight the true danger of opiates and prescription drug abuse.

Interviews start with the organizer of a sparsely attended Pro-Pot rally in South Dakota, where he explains the poor turn out is because "people are afraid of being profiled" and ostracize in this small rural community. After a quick historical policy review, and a quick overview of the science of cannabis, we are reminded of current media attitudes including Sanjay Gupta's apology for misinforming the public, through Maureen Dowd's epic pot infused edible over indulgence.

Marijuana Policy Project's Mason Tvert is largely credited with leading the changes in Colorado, and tells how he succeeded in guiding policy change by educating the public, simply by proving pot's relative safety compared to alcohol, and gives us his advice and thoughts on the challenges for the nationaldecriminalization model.

THE STORIES

Songwriter Daniel "Boone" Johnson, Michael's 20 year older brother, gives a historical perspective of family alcohol issues, state historical and political point of view, and summarizes advice he gave to Michael as a teen that kept him from moving past pot, as well as concern about repercussions Michael may face making a film about pot in such a conservative state.

Colorado Medical Marijuana Patient, Ashley and mother of a young child shares her experiences and struggles using cannabis as a medicine, and shares her courageous journey advocating for justice, and eventually fighting for and winning civil liberties for many .

Angela and David Brown tell the harrowing tale of their efforts to help their teenage son Trey, who they chose to give medical marijuana to treat the severe symptoms he has from a traumatic brain injury he sustained, after finding that traditional medicines were not only not helping, but in some cases, exacerbating his pain and health issues, and on going prosecution they are enduring as a result of this choice in their rural Minnesota hometown.

Former Deputy Marshal Jason Thomas and current Denver Prosecutor Jay Fisher speak on behalf of Law Enforcement against Prohibition. They explain how the current policy, not the cops, are the bad guy. Their professional experience and those in their group compel them to now speak out to work to end the war on drugs.

Marijuana educator and "Weed Wizard" Max Montrose helps break down the science and explains his work with the state, "translating" and helping form public policy for state officials.

Man-on-the-Street interview with petty-cab driver and life long Coloradan Tim Tindle, as a "life-long, unrepentantmarijuana user" gets us up to speed on the positive changes in Denver, and thoughts on policy moving forward.

MICHAEL HOPE BIOGRAPHY

Michael Hope is an artist, independent media producer, and the founder of Hope Studios. He has a professional background in film and television production, fine art, acting, marketing, and multimedia. His credits include directing, creating, producing, writing, editing, art direction, animation, and professional project management.

In recent years, Michael has produced commercial documentaries, a 16 episode original television series, and a number of successful marketing campaigns for a variety of clients. From his feature documentary, Pot (the Movie), to Happy Your Head with Michael Hope, to his recent pilot, Three Chords and the Truth: The Ballad of Billy Ray Ray, Michael's work reflects his core thesis: Be honest, work hard, stand for truth and justice, laugh, and follow your dreams. Michael is deeply influenced by historical figures who have courageously stood up for good, despite personal peril; speaking loving truth to power, for the good of the world. Michael has also consulted for companies looking to improve their overall productivity, creative problem solution, workflow, communication, messaging, and return on investment.

From internationally aired television and national marketing campaigns, to permanent fine art installations in cities around the world, Michael has consistently delivered timely and professional products, on budget, and on time.

Michael studied Film and Fine Art at MCAD and Dakota State University, and marketing at Dakota Wesleyan University. He is proficient in many mediums beyond film, including, original music composition, design, painting, original product design (prototyping), and creative writing.

Prior to founding Hope Studios, Michael owned Hope Glass Co., where he developed and sold his proprietary, Durabella® glass, the worlds first laminated stained glass, for traditional stained glass restoration, which utilized traditional cut stained glass and modern laminating processes, making the cut glass storm proof and bullet proof.

When he’s not working, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife and three young children, his friends, playing music, athletics, and painting.